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Reader resources

If you're looking for something new to read or want to know the next book in a series, this is the place. Find out what our books clubs are reading and when they meet. Request an item you can't find in our catalog.

Book Clubs

Pick up a copy of the current selections at the front desk or drive-thru. New members always welcome!

Book Discussion Group

Lively discussions on popular fiction and nonfiction titles. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m.

Strictly Fiction

Read and discuss different genres—mysteries, westerns, historical fiction, romance and more. There’s something here for everyone. Meet the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. down by the fireplace.

Book to Art

Read a book and create art it inspires. And by art, we mean any form, from baking and handicrafts to watercolor and woodwork. Meet to share impressions of the book, show your art and describe your creative process. Meet at 11:00 a.m. the fourth Saturday of every other month.

reading challenges

Use Beanstack, a web and mobile app, to participate. Beanstack makes it easy to register, track reading, and earn incentives. Download the app or access it here.

Winter Reading Challenges through April 27.

Read for FUN and prizes! Register on Beanstack.

Read to Me
(A
ges 0-7)

Log each book you read. Earn a reading badge and a fun wintry prize for every five books. Pick up prizes at the Help Desk or call ahead to pick up at the drive-thru. Read 25 books to complete the challenge and receive a FREE BOOK.

Read on My Own
(
Ages 8-12)

Log each book you read to earn badges and prizes. Pick up prizes at the Help Desk or call ahead to pick up at the drive-thru. Read 10 books to complete the challenge—and pick out a FREE BOOK!

Teen
(Ages 13-17)

Log each book you read. Earn a reading badge and a prize for each book. Pick up prizes at the Help Desk or call ahead to pick up at the drive-thru. Read five books to complete the challenge—and pick out a FREE BOOK from our fabulous WALL OF BOOKS!

Adult
(Ages 18+)

Read two books to earn a stylish mug perfect for fireside reading. Read up to six additional books to earn chances at $25 in Chamber Bucks. The more you read, the better your odds!

Ongoing challenges

Above Average Reader

Through December 31 for ages 14+

American adults read an average of 12 books each year, with half reading four or fewer. How do you rank? Upon completing your 13th book, attain ABOVE AVERAGE status and receive a congratulatory canvas tote or patch. Continue reading to achieve SUPERIOR status: log 52 books in 2024 to receive a patch for your tote.

Banned Book Challenge

Ongoing for ages 18+

Reading is empowering! Learn about new perspectives and celebrate the freedom to read. Explore books that have been challenged or banned over the past two decades. Log your reading to earn badges throughout the challenge.

NEW! Mystery maven

Ongoing for ages 18+

Don your deerstalkers, dear readers: On dark and stormy nights (sunny afternoons will work too), investigate different subgenres and award-winning titles. Upon completion of this clandestine operation (well, it’s really a public challenge open to all adults), snag an elusive patch that reveals the intriguing secret to sharp-eyed operatives (your friends and neighbors) that the bearer is a shrewd connoisseur of mystery.

babies bloom
100 Books Before One

Plant the seed to your baby’s success! Read 100 books by age one. Sharing books together strengthens your baby’s foundation for learning, and the bond between baby and their favorite teacher: YOU! Receive a free book after each milestone of 25 books logged.

1,000 books before kindergarten

Read 1,000 books together before your child enters five-year-old kindergarten. Earn FREE BOOKS for your home library as you hit each 100-book milestone!

500 books before middle school

Now that your child is reading on their own, challenge them to read 500 books before middle school. Earn reading badges, fun charms, and FREE BOOKS!

Book Recommendations

Readalikes & More

Want something light and fun? Or maybe dystopian fiction is your thing. Or something similar to Stephen King’s latest book. Or a book by an indigenous author for a middle school reader. NoveList Plus is the place to start!

NextReads
Newsletter

Wondering what to read next? Sign up for NextReads email newsletters to receive new recommendations for your favorite types of books for all ages. Titles are linked to the catalog to make them easy to find and request.

Book Reviews

BookPage highlights the best new books across all genres every month. Pick up the free printed magazine at the front desk or drive-thru. Visit BookPage online for select recommendations and features.

Series in Order

Kent District Library’s What’s Next database is a great source for series information. Determine in what order to read the books of a series. Search by author, title or series name to see What’s Next!

Library Reads

A curated collection of U.S. librarians’ favorite new books. Peruse titles here before hitting the library’s new book shelf.

BookBrowse

An online magazine with reviews, previews, behind-the-book backstories, author interviews, reading guides, and much more.

Reading Group Choices

Choose your book club’s next read! Find new recommendations every month, plus lists of club favorites.

Reading Group Guides

Good questions can spark great discussions! Find discussion guides tailored to popular book club reads.

TasteDive

Looking for something new to read, watch or listen to? TasteDive helps you discover the possibilities. Type in a keyword or two (time travel, romantic suspense) to find items that match, as well as lists of similar items from other users. Get recommendations for books, movies, TV shows, podcasts, music and more.

Book Riot

A collection of book news, reviews, lists and podcasts—plus giveaways! If it has to do with books, you can probably find it here. Subscribe to newsletters and podcasts. Get lists and articles delivered straight to your inbox.

Search & Request Materials

WISCAT

You’ve searched our catalog and can’t find what you’re looking for. Keep searching on WISCAT to see if it’s owned by another Wisconsin library. If you find your title, fill out our online form to request it through interlibrary loan.

 

WorldCat

Check out WorldCat for hard-to-find titles; it contains holdings from libraries around the world. Please note that the owning library may not loan it; many old and rare items are only shown for research purposes.

Request Form

Use this form to request an item not owned by our library.  Staff reviews your request and decides whether to purchase item for the collection or request it through interlibrary loan. If we are unable to get the item for you, you’ll be notified.

FREE eBooks

Access thousands of ebooks, emagazines and eaudiobooks with your library card and PIN (last four digits of your phone number)! Download the Libby app to get started. Kindle users can use Libby or download books directly to their Amazon accounts.